Asus W2PB - Brand New

Hi All,

I just bought a W2PB-7K003C and upgraded the ram to 2gb using Crucial PC-5300 and upgraded the HD to a Hitachi 7200rpm 16mb cache, 200gb sata 150. The stock 1gb ram is under the keyboard and so the user accesible one underneath is empty for an upgrade. So far I really like this laptop. Great screen, sxga+ is the perfect resolution at my distance. I use it paired up with a dell 2405 24" LCD screen for dual display.

The keyboard and touchpad are not as good as my HP Nw8440. Can someone tell me who makes the HP touch pad? Their good TP is only avail on the business models.

With this laptop I can run dual screen, play a 3D game in a window and not have a movie that is playing at the same time flicker. Contrary to my HP with a FireGL5200 that suffers from this problem.

One annoying thing about these ATI cards is that in Dual Screen mode, having my Dell LCD as the primary display, and the laptop as secondary/extended display, the orientation resets on bootup and I have to manually set it each time. For example my LCD is in front of me and the laptop to the left. I set this up in windows display properties or ATI catalyst and when I reboot it changes my primary display as if its on the left and the laptop is on the right. So the mouse cursor doesn't move between screens properly. If no one has a fix for this I will write a program to force it once I have time.

The stock 5400rpm drive (a Seagate Momentus 5400.1) is very quiet. The upgraded hitachi makes a lil noise but only that sweet humming of a faster drive, not annoying at all to me. To bad I didn't benchmark the 5400 before I replaced it but I am sure you can find some around. To replace the hard drive remove the 2 screws underneat and pull. The cover needs to get pulled a tad hard to get it to snap out.

As for the wireless it was performing very poorly and dropping the signal alot. I went to Intel.com and got the updated drivers for the 3945ABG card and it works great now. The signal shows excellent vs always showing "good" even if I was next to the AP.

I have yet to play with the TV tuner some more and I can not get Vista Media Center to stop auto playing ANY cd I insert. I turned auto play off, disabling the shell service and more...still doesn't work. I don't want to have to turn off every service that MCE uses. Has anyone fixed this?

Asus power 4 gear looks cool when you press the dedicated button the laptop but it is going off, along with splendid and other things. I used to own an Asus R2H UMPC that was a celeron 900 and Asus managed to get the thing to crawl with all the bloatware. On another note the R2H's wifi is TERRIBLE. The vista drivers are a tad better but it is still very unreliable. I called Asus and they said "buy a more powerful router"...because having my mimo 108g 5 feet away in plain view is not enough.

The sound on this laptop is actually decent. I have never had a laptop that I could enjoy using the sound with out headphones/external setup. 2 Speakers mounted on the LCD facing you. 2 underneath along with a small sub. Plugging it in to my bose speakers produces better sound ofcourse.

I really like the build, it doesn't weigh much more than my HP, no crazy buttons, flashing lights, or oddities. Sleek and professional looking.

I am disspointed that ATI doesn't provide updated x1700 drivers on their site. Would be nice as one could take advantage of fixes and improvements.

This laptop is really quiet and the CPU fan when reved up hums nicely. Not a high pitched whirling of sorts. I would recommend replacing your cpu fan if it makes a ton of noise. It has HDMI out, would've been nice to have component IN, comes with composite (yellow/red/white video/audio/audio) connector.

Comes with a USB IR receiver in case you want to hide the laptop and use it to drive a TV. An external wifi antenna here would have been nice. In case you want to stream content to your TV. Another small complaint is that the audio out port is on the front of the laptop. It's cleaner looking to have on the side or exta one on the back. This thing has tons of ports, what's one more? Also has surround out.

The bluetooth Mouse lacks a thumb button and is therefore useless to me.

Finger prints get on it pretty easily and it uses the same metal as the R2H. Not a big deal and can be cleaned.

The status LEDs all over the laptop are subtly and elegant. Battery lasted about 1.5 hours just browsing the web with full brightness.

If you have any questions on this laptop let me know.

 

HD Tune: Hitachi HTS****** Benchmark

Transfer Rate Minimum : 25.0 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Maximum : 64.1 MB/sec
Transfer Rate Average : 49.0 MB/sec
Access Time : 15.1 ms
Burst Rate : 83.8 MB/sec
CPU Usage : 14.8%

 

I was thinking about getting this over the Asus G2S but I was detered because it has an ATI graphics card and I plan on running linux on it and read that they don't really update their drivers for linux. Are you planning on doing this at all?

How much did you pay for it and where it you buy it from? Can you take some pictures and post them please? What's the build quality like?

Sorry for all the questions, but I'm planning to buy real soon and still can't make up my mind. Thanks.

Congrats on the purchase, btw. Hope you love it.

 

I will get some pictures soon. I bought it off of newegg.com and got it 2 days later. They still have it.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=w2pb

The UXGA model with HD Tray Load DVD Player for approx 700 more I thought was not worth it. If you are going to use the laptop in front of you only then that res might be nice. Not in my setup.

I WISH it had an Nvidia card. I was going to get the G1s but went with this one. I don't game a ton and wanted something that was tastefully built, glossy screen, tv tuner, etc. My HP is the road warrior. I would install the latest ati vista drivers off Asus' site. For my needs the card is fine except for the dual screen position resetting itself.

Oh and I will be using VMware for XP and Linux (Gentoo). So far Vista is ok. Once I get all my devel stuff on we will see how it does.

The build quality is excellent. The screen cover is plastic with a brushed aluminum paint job. All the materials around the keyboard and touchpad are metal. The touchpad already is showing signs of wear from my angle I can see it clearly (its on a laptop stand). At this point it can probably wipe off. They keyboard is very good. I can type on it fast, although not as good as the HP which is the best keyboard I have ever had in a laptop. The magnetic locking lid feels secure. It's very sleak and visually appealing. The s-video/tv-in/lan/modem are all hidden by a magnetic locking cover on the left side. The USB ports fit nice and snug and the vga port fits securely when connected to (has no tightening scews).

 

Newegg's pics are actually decent. Let me know if you want a specific picture and I will get it for you. I don't have any server on the web to host the pics on. Send me your e-mail in a private message and I will send it via e-mail.

btw I am extremely picky and I like this laptop alot.

 

It is a beautiful laptop and I wish they made a 14" or 15.4" version of it because I would have probably bought one instead of the Asus G1.

 

God I hate having to research this thing so much. I say that if a certain notebook has everything or close to it, I'm going to buy it. Then 10 minutes later, something comes up and completely make me doubt myself. I really love how the W2 looks and would prefer to buy that over the Asus G2S because it has a weaker graphics card which is fine since I don't game heavily. But it's ATI. I really want to run Feisty Fawn or Gutsby Gibbon when it comes out in October. I figure that as long as ATI has updated drivers to support these with Beryl, I am made in the shade. I'll be so busy with multimedia I won't even have time for gaming.

Since for my budget, I would not be able to get the UXGA model, how is the screen? How good is it for watching hi-def movies?

The only three things keeping me from buying the W2 is the ATI graphics card, screen, and the fact that not a lot of people have it. If I were to have a specific problem, I wouldn't know who to ask.

For pictures, could you possibly take some comparing it for relative size? Newegg shows the actual notebook, but I'm trying to gauge how big it really is. Can you take a picture next to a ruler or a tv or something? From the newegg pictures it looks dark grey brushed aluminum...that right or is is black?

Thanks

My email is [email protected].

 

There is.. the W1.. but if u live in the US, ur out of luck. Currently waiting for the W1/2S

 

Ok I emailed you a bunch of pictures. Is there anyone that I can email them to so they can host it?

a W1s would be awesome, with an Nvidia 8600gt, tv tuner and the works in a 15.4" sxga+ colorshine display. My HP goes with me pretty much everywhere (backpack on a bike) etc. This is my first 17" and I like it. It stays pretty much on its stand and moves ocassionally around the house. However I would never have bought it if I had to lug it to and from work. My suggestion is if you are going to take it with you sometimes it's fine but every day could be annoying. Plane rides etc.

The W1 would be great, that's really what I was looking for. A refined version of the G1s.

You could get this, its 2 lbs heavier and no tv tuner. Oh and the G2S has the 8600GT with gddr3 memory. It's faster than a X1700.

I like this laptop alot but you can watch for it on ebay the day that w1 is obtainable. The screen is awesome (LG Phillips Mfct). If you have a good quality video it is stunning. Btw It would be nice if asus had the HP keyboard. It even has a coating on it to prevent wear.

 

That's probably what I'll end up getting is the Asus G2S with the WUXGA screen. It's actually cheaper than the one you showed on newegg. I just fell in love with the look of the W2, I love everything about it except the hardware. And that is what's more important.

If I don't end up getting the Asus G2S or W2PB (4 days to decide), I'll get the 15.4'' version of the G series, the Asus G1S and use a huge 24'' LCD monitor for movie watching. Thanks for your help. Even though you loving your notebook makes me feel like I can make a decision to save my life. I thought I had ruled it out before, but it's back in the mix. Oh......well......them's the breaks.

Where are you located? I thought the W1 is not available in the US?

Thanks for the pictures. I'll try and see if I can host them somehow but I've never done it before.

 

Speaking in what if terms, what if it did make it over here with the latest hardware. Cross your fingers.

 

Got it! Rooting for it just for you. And me, I can just buy your W2PB later on once you get your W1 if I'm still interested.

 

I always wonder why dont' they put a freaking webcam in there... expensive 2Gs laptop without a webcam? kinda weird

This laptop is overall sexy as hell. I have to admit the build quality.

 

I'm at the one year anniversary with my W2jB and I can tell you that I am still a very pleased owner. It's a wicked cool looking laptop and while it's not the fastest rig available, it is very capable. I played games like F.E.A.R. and S.T.A.L.K.E.R. all the way through with great visuals and respectable framerates. Nothing against the G2 but I think the W2 series just looks alot more sophisticated and it's lighter too.

2 things polarlinks: I was able to keep Windows Media Center from autoloading at every disc insertion by disabling "ehtray" in the msconfig startup section with no ill effects otherwise. Finally, you said your screen cover was plastic painted brushed aluminum. Mine IS brished aluminum which lends to the sturdy feel and overall classy looks of the machine.

Good luck with a fantastic laptop!

 

Thanks for the autoplay tip. I was looking for that. Btw the chassis is probably the same as yours + the HDMI. The top could be brushed aluminum...feels like plastic to me though. So far the laptop rocks. I am also liking the 17" screen since it's parked most of the time. I give windows media center props for downloading my local tv listings.

Did you read my part about the dual display? Even when I close the lid of the laptop and open it back again windows resets my screens. ATI lacks good software to manage your desktops, window behavior and such. Maybe there is a new hydravision version that's any good. Yea the hydravision version of ati's site is the same old one I tried.

 

Sorry Polarlinks, I don't have any idea why your display properties are misbehaving. I personally updated my Catalyst drivers to the then current 6.7 version when I first purchased my machine. I don't like messing with success so I stayed with that version until recently when I updated to the then current 7.5 Catalyst drivers. I think they are already up to 7.7! Anyhow, my only suggestion would be to either update to the current Cats or possibly try Omega or other similar drivers. Also, Asus customer service is pretty good. Try asking them. Good luck!

 

I tried all that. Its an ATI feature that is also on my other laptop. Btw I looked at the laptop lid cover more closely and it is brushed aluminum.

 

We all knew that..
Anyway, i don't think the W2 is sophisticated... it's just cleaner and smoother than the G2S... G2S looks like a ricer notebook(taken from ricer car, ya got me?) to me...

 

I was toying with the idea of selling it because I do like NVidia products more. However with all the other options out there I still like this laptop the best and will be keeping it. Will wait for a W1s or W2 refresh and see what happens in the future. I would like a VX2s but it is way to expensive. I am guessing it will have GDD3 video memory and I don't know if that makes a big enough difference vs the V1s (gddr2). I did want to get a notebook that would run new games, maybe Diablo 3? For now this is an awesome laptop. Really impressed with the performance and as for the ATI weirdness I will be posting a new program someday soon to correct it.

ATI you need better software! and catalyst is pointless.

BTW here's how I achieved better video performance. Uninstalled catalyst, installed only the ATI driver + ATI Tray Tool. Then cofigured the card with ati tray tool and I got better performance and less bloatness(ie catalyst gone).

 

reviews please.. No one write a review of this before i guess.

 

Someone else wrote a really good review of the model previous to mine. http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=55009

The chassis is the same. Only differences are the video cars is an x1700 vs x1600, better cpu, and sxga+ screen. I also thing the old model doesn't have HDMI. Not sure.

If enough people want a review I would be glad to post one if you can host the pictures or tell me where I can host them on notebookreview. I have owned over 20 laptops and have an HP with me currently that I can use to compare (as it is one of the best laptops I have ever owned).